What is Visa?
Visa is the company behind VisaNet, one of the world’s largest payment processing networks. According to data, this company processed an astonishing 192.53 billion transactions in 2022. That equates to an average of 0.66 billion transactions every single day of the year. While it doesn’t issue credit or debit cards itself, it supplies its branded cards to financial institutions, which customers then receive.
If you have a Visa card, you can use it worldwide to make payments, both online and in person, and withdraw funds from ATMs. VisaNet might no longer have the record for the largest number of transactions processed, but it still holds a 50% share of global card payments. It’s also widely accepted by businesses everywhere, including online sportsbooks.
How Does Visa Work?
The payment service is very straightforward to use. All you need is a Visa card, which facilitates payments. You can use prepaid, debit, and credit cards, with availability depending on the issuer. In most cases, you simply need to open a bank account, and you’ll receive your debit card to spend your funds. If you’re applying for a credit card, the issuer will ask you to complete a credit check first.
Once you receive your card, it’s easy to use it for payments at online sportsbooks and other sites. You just need to enter your card details and confirm the transaction. Here’s a short guide to how the process works:
- Register with the online sportsbook and check to see if Visa payments are accepted
- Choose Visa as a deposit method and enter your card details
- Confirm the payment and complete verification if needed
Visa cards may also receive payments, meaning you can request a withdrawal from your betting account too. Once the withdrawal request is approved, the money will be sent to the account linked to your card, allowing you to spend it how you like.
The Advantages of Using Visa for Betting
Visa is one of the most popular payment services in the world because it offers many advantages over other payment methods. When you’re using it for sportsbook deposits and withdrawals, these are some of the main advantages it offers:
Secure Payments
Visa payments are incredibly secure, helping to ensure your personal information and money is always safe. Even if you’re using a licensed and legal sportsbook, it’s still important to ensure the payment process is secure.
When using this payment method, you must enter your card details to complete the payment. However, there are a lot of measures and security features in place to make it safe. This includes a two-factor authentication process, as well as a fraud-detection system that ensures that only you can spend your money.
Widely Accepted
As the second-most used payment network in the world, Visa is accepted by millions of global businesses. According to our research, all licensed sportsbooks in the US support Visa payments, meaning you don’t have to worry about using a different service.
The fact that it’s so widely accepted is a huge advantage, as you’ll only need to use a single account and card for all your online payments. As a result, it’s much simpler to set up your sportsbook account and start making deposits.
Excellent Reputation
Visa was first founded in 1958 as Bank Americard, and has become the most popular card in the world over the years. It changed its name to Visa in 1976, adopting the word instantly recognizable in many different languages as meaning accepted.
Since it was first created, the company has maintained an excellent reputation for safety, security, and responsibility. As a result, millions of banks, vendors, and consumers worldwide trust it to complete payments safely.
Free to Use
While many other payment services have appeared over the years, few of them can provide the same level of service as this one while also being free of charge. In most cases, your Visa card will be supplied for free by your bank, and no fees are applied for payments, deposits, or withdrawals.
If you use a Visa credit card, your issuer may charge you interest if you fail to pay the balance on time. In addition, there are often currency conversion fees when making international payments. Still, using the card itself is free, which is a major advantage if you use it frequently.
High Limits
Ideally, you shouldn’t have to face restrictions on how much you can pay when depositing online sportsbooks. With Visa, there are high spending limits in place, so the only limit on how much you can spend is the amount of funds available.
This is great when trying to claim sports betting promos, as it means you can get the full bonus when you deposit funds for the first time. In addition, you won’t need to worry about exceeding any limits. Still, you can place limits on your account if you prefer, allowing you to control how much you spend.
Drawbacks of Visa Sports Betting
While Visa is a very popular payment method, there are still some drawbacks associated with it. Here are the main disadvantages of using this service to make sportsbook payments and withdrawals:
| Disadvantage | Explanation |
| Withdrawal time | One of the things that holds Visa back is the time it takes for withdrawals to be processed. Unfortunately, it can take several days before the funds are available in your account. Normally, it will take between 3-5 days to arrive after the sportsbook approves your withdrawal request. |
| Card details | The other main drawback of using it for online payments is that you need to enter your card details. If you’re using a safe and secure site with encryption, this shouldn’t be an issue. However, entering card details online still makes a lot of people nervous. |
Visa Security
One of the main drawbacks of using your debit card is that your card details are required to make payments online. However, you shouldn’t be discouraged by this, as Visa is still incredibly safe and secure. The payment network has built a reputation as one of the best thanks to its high level of care for its users, which includes employing appropriate security measures.
Here are some of the key security features you can expect:
Verified By Visa
Verified by Visa is a global authentication system that provides an extra layer of security to all of your transactions. Instead of simply needing your card details, you’ll also have to complete a verification process to approve any payment. This way, even if your details are compromised, they still can’t be used to make unauthorized transactions.
Zero Liability
Visa follows a zero liability policy, meaning cardholders aren’t held responsible for fraudulent charges made using their cards. If you are unlucky and have someone commit fraud using your details, you can prove it and ensure you don’t have to pay anything. All card issuers must follow this policy, ensuring you don’t have to worry about fraud.
Account Information Security Program
Every vendor and supplier operating on the payment network has to follow strict rules on account information protection. You don't want your personal data to fall into the wrong hands. This security program keeps your information safe and eliminates unnecessary data storage. This means there’s less chance of your details being compromised.
Anti-Phishing Initiatives
Phishing scams, where fraudsters use fake websites and email addresses to trick people, are one of the biggest issues in online scams. Visa works closely with industry partners and law enforcement agencies to clamp down on these scams and shut down phishing websites. In addition, it provides a lot of support and education to its users to help prevent the success of phishing attempts.
End-to-End Encryption
All payments you make using this payment network are encrypted to ensure maximum security. This means your details and the information on all your transactions are kept hidden from unauthorized users. Even if you save your card details to your sportsbook account, the information is still encrypted, so it cannot be read by others.
Visa Betting Promos
When betting online, be sure to claim any sports betting promos you can. All of our recommended sportsbooks offer promos for you to claim, and they’re a great way to get more out of your bets and increase your bankroll, especially when you’re just starting out.
There are lots of different types of betting bonuses available at Visa sportsbooks. Here are some of the most common:
| Bonus Type | Example | Explanation |
| Matched deposit bonus | 100% bonus up to $500 | The betting site will match your first deposit up to a specific value. |
| Risk-free bet | $250 risk-free bet | If your first bet loses, you get a refund in the form of bet credits. This will be capped at a specific value too. |
| Free bet credits | $100 in bet credits/free bets | You can use bet credits to place real bets, using them instead of your money. You keep any winnings made. |
| Odds boosts | Odds boosted from +200 to +300 | The odds for your bet are increased by a percentage or value. |
| Loyalty rewards | Earn free bets and cashback for betting | You earn points by placing wagers and can exchange these points for bonuses. |
Common Visa Bonus Terms
Every betting promo comes with terms and conditions, which you’ll need to follow in order to claim the offer and get the full value out of it. Just like any terms, be sure to read them through carefully before you accept the promo.
Here are some of the most commonly used terms with an explanation of what they mean:
| Bonus Terms | Example | Explanation |
| Payment method | Payments made using XXX won’t unlock the bonus | The sportsbook may require you to use a specific payment method to trigger the bonus. |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 5x wagering | You need to wager the full value of the bonus a set number of times before withdrawing it or any winnings. |
| Minimum deposit | $20 minimum deposit | The minimum amount you must deposit to unlock the bonus. |
| Minimum bet | $10 minimum bet | The minimum amount you must bet to unlock the bonus. |
| Minimum odds | -150 | The minimum odds at which you must bet to unlock the bonus. |
A Guide to Betting with Visa
Betting on sports using your card is really simple. Every US sportsbook we’ve reviewed accepts Visa, and even if you don’t have a card already, it won’t take long before you can sign up and start betting. Here’s our guide to placing your first bets:
How to Get Visa
You can get a debit, credit, or prepaid card from your bank or another type of financial service. There’s no need to create an account or anything, but if you don’t already have a Visa card, you’ll need to open a bank account with a service that uses them.
This is as simple as following these steps:
- Contact the bank or card issuer to open an application
- Complete the forms and agree to any terms and conditions
- If it’s a credit card, you’ll need to complete a credit check too
- Wait for your application to be approved and your card to be posted to you
After completing the application, you’ll have to wait for your bank to mail your card to you. However, most banks also provide a virtual card while you wait. You can use this to complete online payments as soon as you’ve set up your bank account.
How to Join a Visa Sportsbook
Once you receive your card details, you’re ready to start making payments, including at online sportsbooks. You’ll need to join one of our recommended Visa betting sites before you can start placing legal bets using your card. It’s really easy to do, and you just need to complete these stages:
- Choose one of the recommended betting sites from this page
- Use your device to visit the site and start the registration process
- Provide your personal details and agree to the site’s terms and conditions
- Confirm your identity and location to complete your account
How to Make Sportsbook Deposits Using Visa
Once you’ve set up your account, all that’s left to do is add funds before you place your first bets. With Visa, it’s really simple to add money to your account:
- Log into your account and open the cashier page
- Choose the “deposit” option and select Visa as your payment method
- Enter your card details and the amount you’d like to add
- Confirm the payment and complete the verification process if required
- Your funds will be available instantly to bet with
Making Withdrawals with Visa
If you have enough funds to cover the minimum withdrawal, you can request your money at any time. You’ll need to wait for the sportsbook to approve the request, and then the service will also need to process the transaction.
Requesting a withdrawal is straightforward too. Just follow these steps:
- Log into your betting account and check your balance
- Open the cashier and choose the “withdraw” option
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw and choose the Visa payment method
Visa Betting FAQ
What is Visa?
Visa is a global payment processing network that is responsible for billions of transactions every year. It’s one of the most popular payment services, facilitating banks and lenders to offer credit and debit cards. These cards can be used to easily pay for goods and services both online and in person. Its speed and convenience make it incredibly popular.
Can I use Visa to make deposits to my sportsbook account?
Yes, Visa cards can quickly make deposits to your sportsbook account, with no need to use alternative methods. If you already have a card, you can instantly add money and start betting. Every legal US sportsbook accepts Visa as a payment method, making it straightforward to use.
Is it safe to use Visa when betting online?
Yes, Visa is incredibly safe to use for online payments and online betting. The card uses lots of different security features to ensure your personal details are secure.
Can I use Visa to withdraw funds from my sportsbook account?
Yes, Visa allows withdrawals too. If you have available funds in your account, you can request a withdrawal using Visa as a payment method. After the sportsbook approves the payment, your money will be sent to the account linked to your card.
Are there fees when using Visa?
No, Visa debit is completely free to use. You can make payments online, directly from your bank account, and not face any additional charges for using the service. You might sometimes be charged a small fee for using a credit card. In addition, charges for currency conversion may apply if you’re making payments in a different currency.
How long does it take for Visa to process my withdrawal?
A Visa withdrawal may take 3-5 days to process after your sportsbook has approved it. Making a withdrawal is really simple. You just need to make sure you have enough funds in your account to cover the minimum amount.
Can I claim sportsbook promos when using Visa?
Yes, Visa deposits are ideal for claiming sportsbook promos. You can find the best sports betting promos on this page, all of which are really easy to claim using your card to make your first deposit. Always read through all of the terms and conditions carefully before accessing any of the offers.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.